Tor and Cor Ao-Vuv Resistant Polymers for Space

We report here on two new polymer materials called TOR (Triton Oxygen Resistant) and COR (Clear Oxygen Resistant) that are highly AO-VUV (atomic oxygen-vacuum ultraviolet) resistant for use in space, while maintaining strength and thermal control properties (α, e and α/e). TOR and COR are polyarylene ethers phosphene oxides. TOR is a polybenzimidazole with optical and mechanical properties like those of Kapton®, but with strong AO-VUV resistance. COR is a clear polyarylene ether phosphene oxide with optical properties like Teflon®, but with lower density, improved Tg, improved strength, lower elongation, and stronger AO-resistance than Teflon and with strong VUV resistance. TOR and COR have been developed as resins, threads, and thin films for space applications. Part of the development of the TOR and COR polymers has been extensive ground tests of AO erosion, AO and VUV degradation of thermal control parameters, and AO-VUV effects on mechanical properties, all compared to Kapton and Teflon controls. A major part of this development has been an analysis of the AO and VUV stability of Kapton and Teflon in space tests, especially on LDEF, that shows disadvantages of the control polymers to TOR and COR. A final part of this development is the generation of potential space products, including second surface mirrors (SSMs) as thermal control layers or components in multi-layer insulation blankets (MLIs), sewing threads for MLIs and braided threads for space tethers; wire insulation to resist arc-tracking and voltage breakdown, and thin membranes for inflatable space structures.